UNDATED (AP) – The Baltimore Orioles pulled out a 4-3 win over the White Sox, pulling the Birds within 3 1/2 games of the American League East-leading Yankees and cutting Chicago’s lead in the Central to two games over Detroit. Texas still tops the AL West by 5 1/2 games over Oakland after the Rangers beat Tampa Bay 6-5, knocking the Rays a half-game behind Baltimore and Oakland for the two wild-card berths. The Athletics were 3-0 winners at Cleveland and the Yankees fell 8-7 to Toronto in 11 innings.

UNDATED (AP) – Washington and San Francisco were able to pad their National League division leads without playing last night. The Nationals lead the NL East by five games over Atlanta following the Braves’ 3-0 loss at San Diego, and the Dodgers were crushed 10-0 at Colorado to put them 2 1/2 games behind the Giants.

NEW YORK (AP) – Day 2 of the U.S. Open gets under way in a few hours following wins by 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer and defending women’s champ Sam Stosur (STOH’-sur). Joining Federer in the second round on the men’s side are third seed Andy Murray and No. 23 Mardy Fish. Winners on the women’s bracket include top seed Victoria Azarenka (as-ah-REHN’-kuh) , No. 3 Maria Sharapova and three-time champion Kim Clijsters (KLY’-sturz)

UNDATED (AP) – Several prominent NFL players were either released or placed on the physically unable to perform list as teams tried to get to the 75-man roster limit by Monday’s deadline. Among those cut were Buffalo quarterback Vince Young, Carolina kicker Olindo Mare (oh-LIHN’-doh MAHR’-ay), San Diego receiver and kick returner Roscoe Parrish and Patriots veteran wide receivers Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth. Baltimore linebacker and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs has landed on the PUP list, as have Detroit running back Jahvid (JAH’-vihd) Best, Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty and Washington right tackle Jammal Brown, which means they will miss at least the first six weeks of the season.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has accepted a five-year contract worth a reported $40 million. In two seasons, he has 124 receptions for 1,473 yards and 13 scores.